On Wednesday afternoon, February 7, 2018, ROBERT A. FUGATE, d/o/b 1-06-1992, of Branson, entered guilty pleas to felony charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a firearm. Taney County Associate Circuit Judge Eric Eighmy accepted Fugate’s guilty pleas and sentenced Fugate to seven (7) years in prison on each of the two felonies – pursuant to a plea agreement with the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office.
The charges stemmed from October 12, 2017, when officers with the Branson Police Department encountered Fugate during a traffic stop. After learning that Fugate had an active warrant for his arrest, the officers took him into custody and searched him. Fugate was found to have a handgun in his waistband, and over 3 grams of methamphetamine in his pocket. Fugate stated to officers during the search of his pockets, “I’m racking up the felonies.” Fugate was also found in possession of a set of scales and a supply of plastic baggies, which are commonly used in the distribution of controlled substances.
Fugate’s possession of a firearm was a crime because he had previously been convicted of two felonies – theft and unlawful use of a weapon – in August of 2016. Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver is a class C felony and carries a potential maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison. Unlawful possession of a firearm is a class D felony and carries a potential maximum sentence of seven (7) years in prison and/or a $10,000.00 fine.